BAP1 Gene: Known as a ‘Tumor Defense’ Gene

Scientists from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the Institute of Cancer Research, London, and the University of Cambridge, have made a groundbreaking discovery, identifying over 5,000 genetic variations that contribute to cancer growth.

Key Points

A key finding was the link between certain BAP1 variants and elevated levels of IGF-1, a hormone associated with cancer growth.
This discovery paves the way for potential new treatments targeting IGF-1 to slow down or prevent cancer progression.
The study’s comprehensive approach benefits individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, addressing the historical underrepresentation of non-European populations in genetic research.
The team has used an innovative technique called ‘saturation genome editing’, the team analyzed all 18,108 possible DNA changes in the BAP1 gene.
They found that 5,665 of these changes were harmful, disrupting the protein’s protective effects against cancers of the eye, lung lining, brain, skin, and kidney.